Heating unit



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w. GREEN V 2,260,791

HEATING UNIT Filed May 16, 1959 KKZSheetsflSheet 2 f v INVENTOR Paal N ram BY I Patented Oct. 28, 1941 i UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 EMT Paul W. Green, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsyll vania pplication May 1939, Serial N0. 273,859 4 Claims. (Cl. 21937 My invention relates to heating units, and more particularly-to a range surface unit or the like having a removable supporting pan structure. This application is an improvement over W. J. Russells copendlng application Serial No. 264,775, filed March 29, 1939, and is related to my copending application Serial No. 273,860, filed May 16, 1939, both assigned to the assignee of the present application.

An object of my invention is to provide a heating unit having a heating element and a removable pan structure including a ring-like supporting member and a plurality of removable body portions.

A further object of my invention is to provide a supporting pan structure for a heating element including a plurality of removable bottom portions which are adapted to support the heating element during the normal operation thereof,

A further object of my invention is to provide a supporting pan structure including a ring-like supporting member and a plurality of bottom portions adapted to be retained substantially functionally integrally with the'rlng-like member and to support such element during the normal operations thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide I a heating unit including an element, a `removable pan structure including va ring-like member and a plurality of removable bottom. portions) and means for retaining the unit in an'elevated position above the surface of the platform, said removable bottom portions being adapted to` be retained substantially 'functionally integral with the member during the normal operations of the unit and adapted to be readily removed from the ring-like member and the heating element when the unlt'is in its elevated position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive, rugged, dependable supportingpan structure for a heating unit which includes means for supporting a thereof when the unit is in its normal operating position, and'which can be easily removed therefrom to permit thorough cleaning thereof.

Other objects of my invention will-'either be pointed out specifically in the course of `the fol-- lowing description of a device embodying my in. vention, or will be apparent from such description.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a heating unit embodying my invention resting upon a supporting platform in its normal operating position;v

heating element y terial which will permit the heating element I2 Y sov Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II ci' Fig. 1, with portions thereof'omitted;

Fig. 3. is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2,`with the unit resting upon a supporting platform in its normal operating position; y Fig. 4 is a view the unit in an elevated position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line V-V of Fig. 2 with the unit resting upon 'the supporting platform;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the heating unit shown in Fig. 1 in its elevated position, with the heating element and -panpstructure thereof retained above the supporting platform and with the supporting pan structure partially removed from the heating element; f

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modified hinglng arrangement; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along tlie line VIII- VIII of Fig. 7. y f

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts in the several figures, I s'now a heating lunit I0 including a heating element I2, a supporting' pan structure .I4 adapted to support the unit ill on a. range platform, hotplate surface, or the like, I6, during the normal operation of such unit and an elevating supporting structure l8r/adapted to v support the unit I0 in anelevated position above the platform when it is desired to clean such unit. The heating element I2 in this instance com- .prises an open grid formed of two sheathed memf bers arranged in a spiral in a well-known manner. 4The sheathed members each comprise a resistor 2li embedded within a suitable insulating /mafterial 22 and surrounded by a metal sheathv 24 in a well-known manner. `The insulating material 22 is preferably magnesium oxide or the like and may be positioned within the metallic sheath or envelope 24 in a powdered form. The metallic sheath'islformed of any suitable' mato operate satisfactorily at a high temperature 'corresponding to red heat.

'Ihe sheath members are formed into two separate substantially concentric spirals and .may be of either similar or varying wattages; 'nie substantially concentric spirals are mounted in and attached to suitable radially extending transversely grooved supporti arms' It in' a well known manner. `These are adapted to sup-I port the heating element l2 within the pan structure Il in a manner hereinafter described.

similar to 3 illustrating n is to 'be undersfsod that the heating' element I2 described herein and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, is used primarily for. illustrative purposes, and that other suitable heating elements may be used in lieu thereof.

The ends of the tubular sheathed members extend downwardly from the main plane of the heating element I2 and terminate within suitable refractory insulating bushings 28. Suitable terminals (not shown) are located at the lower'ends of the sheathed members within the bushings 28 to afford means for connecting the heating element I2 to a supply circuit (not shown). 'I'he bushings 28 are attached to a terminal block SII, which in this instance comprises an elongated inverted channel-like member having outwardly and downwardly sloping sidesv 32. The channel member is formed from any suitable metallic sheet material andhas formed therein a plurality of apertures along the upper surface thereof for permitting the passage and retention of the A terminal shield 34, preferably of metallic material, is positioned intermediate the heating element I2 and the terminal block 3l and extends substantially diametrically across the heating unit III. The terminal shield Il in this instance, is substantially an elongated inverted channel having outwardly and downwardly sloping sides I6 and a plurality of apertures Il located within the upper surface thereof to afford suitable passage for the depending ends of the heating element I2. Upwardly extending collars M may be located about the apertures 3l to form small vertical sleeves through which the depending ends of the element pass. These collars Il are wedged'tightly against the `metallic sheath heating members to prevent passage of the liquid along the surface of the depending ends of such members, and to retain the members in position as a functionally integral heatingelement.

' Depending end portions 42 are, in this instance, located at either end of the terminal shield 24- to aiford means for rigidly attaching the terminal block lt thereto. However, it is to be'understood that the terminal shield '34 and terminal block 2| may be rigidly attached together or to the- -heating element I2 in any other desired manner.

`It is, therefore, obvious that the heatingelement I2, terminal shield 3l and terminal block Il, being rigidly attached together, will move as tially as hereinafter described. The sloping sides 2B of terminal shield Il direct any spillage or sloppage which may pass through' the open heating element I2` outwardly away from the lower orterminal ends of the heating element I2. This structure thus adequately protects the terminals and insulating bushings 2l from any extraneous matter which might pass down through the unit and along the depending ends of the sheathed members thereof.

The pan structure 4I4 comprises a ring-like supporting member Il and a plurality of remov- .able bottom portions I6 and 4I which cooperate toform an open pan-like vessel having a depressed central portion BI. The ring-like member Il is formed from preferably a single sheet of suitable metallic vmaterial into a functionally -a,neo,791 e -member u upon the platform Il. 'Such member 44 has a diameter slightly less-than the diametrical distance across the radially extending supporting arms 28 of the heating element I2 so as to rest on said arms when the unit II is elevated above its normal operating position (see Fig. 4).

A plurality of upwardly extending notches Il.

may be formed within the depending sleeve or cylindrical portion I2 to permit the ready access of lugs Il associated with the bottom ,portiona as hereinafter described.

. The bottom portions 46 and Il, there being 'two in this instance, comprise a substantially horizontally disposed semi-circular bottom and a semi-cylindrical upwardly extending side. Accordingly, the bottom portions `may be classied as substantially4 half dish-shaped members. A-

plurality of inwardly extending lugs -50 are formed within or rigidlyattached to the sides of the bottom portions to aii'ord means for retaining the heating element I2 through the cooperation of the radially extending arms 2l, when the unit is in its normal operating position. as hereinafter described.

The lugs II may be formed substantially in line with the. top surface of the semi-cylindrical sides or may be located somewhat below such surface, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. With the lugs Il located below the top surface of lthe sides, it is necessary to have a vertically extending notch I. located within the side walls substantially midway offthe lugs Il to afford means whereby theouter ends of the radially extending arms` 26 may move from anormal position resting.

upon theA lugs, when the unit is in 'its normal operating position (see Pig. 3). to an upper position where they supporter carry the ring-'like supporting'member, when the unit is in an elevated position above the platform IO (see li'g. 4)

Thebottom portions Il and Il are, in this instance. hinged together by means of any suitable hinging structure Il so as to permit such portions to be removably located about the heating element I2 and in cooperation with the ringlike member 4I. The hinge structure is rigidly Aattached lto the upstanding side walls of the half dish-shaped bottom portions ll and I8.

. An inwardly extending key or wedge shaped rulcrummg pin n n' located substantially in une v a functionally integral unitary structure substanintegral structure having a depending sleeve or 'with the hinge structure Il and is adapted to cooperate with an aperture Il in the depending sleeve portion l2 of ring-like member M as the bottom portions are cooperatively located about the ring-like member (see Pigs. 2 and 8). The pin I2 is, in this instance, a part of the hinge structure II. However, it may be formed integral with or attached to either or both bottom portions.

With the key l2 engaged within the aperture 84, the bottom portions 4l and Il may be rotated about the hinge structure Il so as to engage the dependingside of the ring-like member. Suitable inwardly extending wedge-like keying members Il are rigidly attached to or formed within the side portions of the movable bottom portions II and Il.' These keys It are adapted to cooperate with thedepending sleeve portIon I2 of the ring-like member u by passing through suitable cooperating slots Il positioned therethrough as the movable bottom-portions and Il are rotated about the hinge structure .I and engage thering-likiemember(aee1'lgs.2and6).

and 48are moved into their cooperative engagement with the ring-like member I4, prevents the movable bottom portions 46 and 48 from being moved vertically with respect to the ring-like A suitable latohing device 65 is located sub- /stantially diametrically opposite the hinging structure 60 to cooperate with the hinged halfpan structures 46 and 48 and to latch them together as they are positioned about the ring-like member 44. The device 64 is rigidly attached to, say, one half-pan structure 48 and cooperates with the second structure 46, in a well-known manner. The vcooperation of the keys 66,wi th notches 68 and the cooperation of latching'means 64 with the two half-pan structuresl 46 permits the half-pan structures 46 and 48 to be keyed with and retained against the depending vsleeve portion 52 of the ring-like member 44 so as to insure a functionally integral pan structure I4.'v

Elongated notches 10 and 12 are formed or cut within the respective cooperating edges of the bottom portions 46 and 48 so as to cooperate and form an elongated aperture 14 in the bottom of the pan structure I4 when such bottom portions are cooperatively engaged with the ring-like member 44. The elongated aperture 14 thus permits the bottom portions to be functionally inte.'-

grally attached to the ring-like member when' associated with the heating element I2 without binding action with the depending ends of such heating element I2.

`Suitable apertures 16, arcuate in shape, in `this instance, are locatedwithin the bottom portions 46 and 48, and parts of the bottoms of such portions are bent downwardly to provide louvers to permit the free passage of any extraneous matter which might pass beneath the heating element I2. The bottom portions 46 and 48 are slightly inclined or tapered towards the aperthen be positioned in engagement with such ringlike member 44 With the pin 62 passing through the aperture 64, whereupon the half-pan bottom portions may be hinged about andv retained in engagement with the ring-like member as a functionally integral structure. 'I'he bottoms of the bottom portions 46 and 48 will thus be located intermediate the heating element I2 and the terminal shield 34. The terminal shield will be located substantially in line with the elongated aperture 14 and cooperates with the bottom portions to prevent any sloppage or extraneous matter passing beneath the heating element from coming in contact with the terminal'ends of-the heating element.

The unit I0 may thenbe located within the aperture I1 in the platform I6 whereupon the Ao'verhanging lip 54 of ring-like member 44 rests upon the ledge I8 adjacent the aperture. vvThe radially extending arms 26 then rest upon the lugs 56 and retain the element I2 slightly above the surface of the platform I6. In addition, the tapered notched ends 18 of the arms 26 cooperate with the lugs 56 to position the unit I0 as a functionally integral structure.

When it is desired to clean the unit I0 embodying my invention when it is positioned upon the platform I6 in its normal'operating positures 64 to more readily guide such extraneous v matter towards the apertures. The bottom portions 46 and 48, in cooperation with the terminal shield 34, thus prevent any of the sloppage or extraneous matter passing beneath the heating element I2 from coming in contact with the terminal ends of the tubular heating members.

A tapered notch 18 is located on the lower surface of the ends of the radially extending supporting arms 26. These notched ends 18 are adapted to extend downwardly within lugs 56 in the pan structure I4 when the element I2 is retained by the pan structure I4 in its normal operating position. The notched ends 18 thus engage the lugs 56 and prevent the outward movement of the movable bottom portions 46 and 48. The radially extending arms 26 thus, through the cooperation of the lugs 56 and notched portions 18, lock the supporting pan portions 46 and 48 together and prohibit any relative horizontal movement between the heating element I2 and the pan structure I4.

When assemblingthe heating unit IIJ,l including the heating element I2, functionally integral terminal shield 34 and terminal block 30, the ring-like member 44 may be located about the element I2 and upon the radial supporting arms 26. The hinged bottom portions 46 and 48 may tion, an operator merely grasps the heating element I2 and lifts the unit upwardly through the aperture I1. The arms 26 then engage the ring-l like member 44 and liftthe pan structure I4 upwardly with the unit. The unit is lifted upwardly beyond the platform I6 until the elevating supporting structures I8 partially pass y through a notch 2| in ledge I9 and is positioned so as to cooperate with such ledge I9. The unit is then slightly rotated, permitting the elevating supporting structure I8 to support the unit in an elevated position above the platform I6 (see Figs. 4 and 6) as is more fully described in the copending W. J. Russell application referred to hereinabove. It is to be understood that any other suitable elevating supporting structure may be used in lieu of the structure I8.

The operator then merely unlatches the latching device 65 upon the bottom portions 46 and 48 'of pan structure I4 and moves or rotates the movable bottom portion 46 about the hinge structure 60 so that such bottom portions are bodily displaced from beneath the ring-like member 44 (see Fig. 6). The hinged bottom portions 4S and 48 may then be removed from the ring-like member 44 and element I2. The ring-like member 44 may then be freely lifted from about the element I2. `The bottom portions 46 and 48 and ring-like member 44 may then be taken to a suitable dishpan and thoroughly cleaned. Likewise, While the heating unit I0 is in an elevated position and with the pan structure I4 removed therefrom, the operator may thoroughly clean the heating element I2 and terminal shield 34.

After thoroughlyI cleaning the unit I8, the pan structure I4 may be easily and readily positioned about the heating element I2 by placing the ring-like member 44 about the element so that it will rest upon the radially extending arms 26. With the ring-like member 44 in place about the heating element I2, the movable pin 62 associated with the hinge structure of bottom 'portions 46 and 41 may be located about the hinge structure 60 so as to cooperatively engage the member 44 through keys 66. The movable bottom portions 46 and 48 then cooperate with the ring-like member 44 and are retained in such cooperation by means of the latchng member 64 and keying members 66, as hereinabove described.

The unit I may then be returned to its normal operating position upon the range platform, whereupon the overhanging lip portion 54 of the flange-like member 44 will retain the unit III in its normal operating position upon such platform.

The radially extending arms 26 then cooperate with the lugs 56 to support the heating element l2 and to bind the unit into a functionally integral structure.

The bottom portions 46 and 48 may, if desired, be separate members and need not be hinged together provided there be suitable keying or latching means such as keys 80 (see Figs. 7 and 8) between the ring-like member 44 and the bottom portions 46 and 48, whereby such portions will be retained in a functionally integral engagement therewith when the unit is in its normal operating position. The inwardly extending keying members 80 are located at the so-called hinge end of the half pan 'portions 46 and 48 and are rigidly attached to or integral with the side walls of such half pan portions. `The keys 80 cooperate with suitable apertures 82 in the depending sides 52 of the ring-like member 44. The cooperation of keys 80 within apertures 82 permits such keys to function as fulcruming members.

Accordingly, the half-pan bottom portions 46 and 48 may hinge or rotate about such pins when the pins 80 are positioned in cooperation with the apertures 82 in the ring-like member 44. The bottom portions 46 and 48 are each independently removable from the ring-like member 44 and are not directly connected together. This structure permits the bottom portions 46 and 48 to be located about the ring-like member 44 and heating element l2, and to be latched together by the latching means 65, as hereinabove described, and to be individually removed from the ring-like member 44 when it is desired to remove the pan structure I4 from the heating element for suitable cleaning purposes.

Various other modificatlons may be made in the device embodying my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a heating structure for assembly to a platform, the combination of a heating element having a cooking surface disposed substantially in the plane of the platform during normal periods of operation and movable to an elevated position above the platform at other times, said element having a terminal structure depending therefrom, a circular member having an outwardly-extending flange resting upon the platform and disposed peripherally of the heating element and a sleeve depending from the flange, first and second relatively movable bottom wall portions dening a pan structure beneath the element and disposed on opposite sides of the terminal structure, said pan structure defining a heat reflector and a terminal shield and said pan structure being separable from the circular sleeve member, hinge means connecting said bottom wall portions, means for latching said bottom portions together about the depending sleeve of the circular member, and means carried by the bottom wall portions for defining a support for said element in its normal operating position.

2. In a heating structure for assembly to a platform, the combination of a heating element having its cooking surface arranged in a Vsubstantially horizontal plane near the plane of the platform during normal operation and movable manually to an elevated position above the platform for cleaning, a terminal structure depending from the heating element, a plurality of outwardly-extending supporting arms attached to the element, a ring supported by said platform and disposed about the element, said ring including a depending sleeve provided with a plurality of upwardly-extending notches in the lower edge thereof, a pair of complementary bottom pan members disposed on opposite sides of the terminal structure, hinge means connecting the pan members so that they are movable with respect to each other, said pan members having upstanding walls which have substantially the same configuration as said sleeve, means for locking the bottom pan members together and about said sleeve and a plurality of inwardly-extending lugs carried by the upstanding walls of the pan members and fitting within said notches for receiving the outer ends of said supporting arms.

3. In a heating structure for assembly to a platform, the combination of a heating element having a substantially circular cooking surface normally disposed adjacent the plane of the platform and including a diametrically-extending depending terminal portion, said element and terminal portion being movable to an elevated position for cleaning, an annular member having an outwardly-extending flange resting upon the platform and a sleeve depending from the flange, said sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings therein, a pair of substantially semi-circular bottom pan members disposed on opposite sides of' said terminal portion and having upwardly-extending walls defining an annular rim encompassing said sleeve, circumferentially-spaced supports carried by the walls and extendingA through said openings for supporting the heating element and its terminal portion during normal use, hinge means connecting the walls of the pan members at one side thereof and a latch connecting the pan members at another side thereof.

4. In a. heating structure for assembly to a range platform, the combination of a substantially circular heating element disposed adjacent the plane of the platform and including a diametrically-extending terminal portion depending therefrom. a plurality of radially-extending arms fixed to the element and having notches formed therein, a continuous ring resting upon the platform and having a depending sleeve formed with circumferentially-spaced recesses in the lower edge thereof, a pair of substantially semi-circular pan members disposed on opposite sides of said terminal portion and defining a generally circular pan beneath the element, said pan members having upstanding complementary walls encompassing said sleeve, a plurality of lugs projecting through said recesses, and carried by said upstanding walls for receiving and supporting said arms, a hinge connecting said pan members, a latch for retaining the pan members in position adjacent the terminal portion of said element, and means for locking the pan members to the sleeve when in its latched position.

PAUL W. GREEN. 

